Time: 4:30- 6:00 pm (Beijing time)

Date: 31 Jan 2023 (Tue)

Venue: Zoom ID: 312 430 8960, PWD: 666666

Speaker: Professor Harald Schneider

Affiliation: Center for Integrative Conservation (CIC), Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China

Title: Integrating Genomics and Conservation to Safeguard Plant Diversity

Abstract:

By reviewing currently available plant genome resources, this study takes forward arguments to integrate genomics into our efforts to protect plant diversity and the natural resources provided as a cornerstone to achieve “Harmony with Nature”. The rapidly increased number of reference plant genomes provides a remarkable resource to support the conservation of threatened species. Unfortunately, only some species requiring protection have their genome or the genome of a closely related species generated yet. Thus, efforts are needed not only to utilise the already available reference genomes but also to expand the coverage of the reference genomes across all branches of the tree-of- life. To enhance the impact of genomics in our efforts to maintain plant diversity, special focus should be given to threatened species and key- corner species of major habitats considered to be under threat, such as the rainforest of Southeast Asia.

Speaker’s Bio:

Prof. Harald Schneider’s current research interest is focused on genomic mechanisms shaping the evolutionary history of land plant diversity since the colonisation of land and their survival in the anthropocene. He promotes integrative research approaches with the aim of incorporating state-of-the-art research, together with the knowledge accumulated during centuries of botanical exploration of the world. During his research carrier, he contributed to many important publications reporting result that are now part of every textbook on plant taxonomy and diversity. Originally trained as a botanists in Germany and Switzerland—including obtaining his PhD at the University of Zurich—he held positions at many famous academic institutions such as the Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, Georg August Universitaet at Goettingen, Duke University at Durham, University of California at Berkeley, and the Natural History Museum at London before joining XTBG. Currently, he served as associate editor of Integrative Conservation.

About the series:

The Integrative Conservation Webinar Series are monthly events featuring cutting-edge presentations and topical discussions on the theory, practice, and policy of biodiversity conservation. The series is sponsored by Integrative Conservation (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/27709329) and the webinars’ content is generally related to work published in the journal. The Integrative Conservation webinars take place the last Tuesday of every month (4:30 to 6 pm, Beijing time), on Zoom (freely accessible to anyone, ID: 312 430 8960, PWD: 666666), and are embedded within the weekly seminar series of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG).